Norfolk, like each of the FBI’s local field offices, has a community outreach program that complements and strengthens our many efforts to protect you, your businesses, and your families in concrete ways through a range of activities and initiatives.
Our recent activities include:
FBI Citizens Academy
The Citizens Academy is a stimulating eight-week program that gives business, religious, civic, and community leaders an inside look at the FBI. It fosters a relationship and understanding between the FBI and its community.
Classes are taught by FBI executives, senior special agents, and program managers. Potential candidates must be at least 21 years of age, must have no prior felony convictions, must live or work within the jurisdiction of the local FBI field office, and must pass a background check.
Applications for the Citizens Academy are currently being accepted; click here for the application and instructions.
CREST (Community Relations Executive Seminar Training) Program
This is a short, focused version of the Citizens Academy, conducted in partnership with a community group at an offsite location. Adult students learn about the mission, goals, history, and internal workings of the FBI, but the sessions are customized to meet the needs of each organization (no background checks).
CREST serves as a means to exchange information between the FBI and the participating communities. Through this exchange, criminal problems affecting communities will be identified and addressed. Any of the topics below can be selected:
Counterterrorism;
Foreign Counterintelligence;
Cyber Crime;
Public Corruption;
Major Thefts/Violent Crimes;
White Collar Crime Program;
Civil Rights; and
Recruitment and Hiring.
A CREST Program is usually 8-10 hours and can be divided into two days (four hours per day). Students will receive a certificate of completion after the training.
Director’s Community Leadership Award
Each year since 1990, FBI special agents in charge have had the opportunity to select an individual or organization that has contributed greatly to local crime, drug, and/or violence prevention and to present this person or group with the Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). In 2012, the Norfolk Division selected Ms. Tressa Denise Johnson as the latest DCLA winnner.
Speakers’ Bureau
The Norfolk FBI offers public speakers on a limited basis on a variety of topics pertaining to the Bureau’s investigative mission. All requests for speakers must be submitted through the website or received in writing on company letterhead and contain the following information:
Date, time, and location of the presentation;
Approximate duration of the presentation;
Specific topic(s) desired;
Type of audience (general public, professionals, students, etc.);
Deadline for response; and
Point of contact information (name and telephone number).
Written requests may be sent directly to Community Outreach Specialist Vanessa Torres, 150 Corporate Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23502.
Please note: Requests for speakers must be received by the Norfolk FBI a minimum of six weeks prior to your presentation date. All requests are subject to availability.
Online Speaker Request Form
Among our other ongoing efforts:
FBI SOS;
Junior Special Agent Program;
Multi-Cultural Advisory Board;
Speakers’ Bureau; and
Teen Academy.